Smiles, Laura

Same layout, different cards....

2012-02-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a layout with you today that's a neat one to use. I made several different cards with it, using different cardstock colors and different designer paper and yes, different sentiments. I like a layout that is easy enough to make that I can do many cards ahead to send when needed.

The designer paper for the two front panels are cut 1-1/2" x 3-3/4". The backing cardsticj is cut 1-3/4" x 4". In the case, I used the new pAleated satin ribbon and wrapped it around each panel. Then I stamped the flowers from the Apothecary Art set and cut it out. (It has a border as part of the stamp.) I used the Labels die to cut out a backing for it.

I stamped the sentiment from Loving Thoughts onto Peach cardstock, layered that with Pear and glued it onto the image. The whole sentiment piece is popped up with dimensionals.

Here is the same card with different colors and different ribbon, made for a Sympathy card.

For this one, I decided to stand the card up "portrait" format and added a bow.

And here is the card made with Poppy Parade and Everyday Enchantment designer paper.

As you can see, the colors make this cord look different, but still with the same size and layout. Hope you can make some with this same layout!

Thanks for visiting! Smiles, Laura

Big Hug....

2012-02-16T13:05:00.002-05:00

I made this card the other day for my brother-in-law who has been in the hospital and a care facility for several weeks. I know days are long for him and I am trying to come up with masculine cards to cheer his days.

I love the Hostess set Perfect Words because it has several great sentiments in the set. I especially the "Big Hug" one. Sometimes I sign my email messages with "Big Hugs" (before the "Smiles, Laura" of course) and I really wanted to give my BIL a long distant big hug. So I thought of our bear in the Under the Stars set. He looks like he is about to give someone a big bear hug.

The card itself is Crumb Cake and I layered that with Very Vanilla. I used various 5/8" wide strips of designer paper to make the various strips down the paper. I notched the ends and just glued them in the center so they flare out a bit.

In this shot, you can see how the ends of the strips are not attached but rather flare out.

I stamped the bear in Crumb Cake and then stamped "Big Hug" over him in Soft Suede. I sponged the edges of this piece of cardstock and affixed it with dimentionals. And I stamped the little raccoon in the bottom right corner to fill space and to add more humor to the card.

I think my BIL really liked the card! I hope he "felt" the hug! Get well soon, Billy!!

Smiles (and big hugs), Laura

Cascading Valentine Card....

2012-02-14T06:00:00.002-05:00

Today I want to share with you a couple of cards I made recently to send to friends and family. This fold was originally designed by Sonia Steller on 12x12 cardstck and she called it a Cascade Card. Then Mississippi McGyver (Marilynn--no last name given--why do some people do that, not give a last name on their blogs???) then designed it to fit on a 8.5" x 11" sheet of cardstock and she called it an Interlocking Folded Card. Mine is made from a 8.5" x 11" sheet of cardstock and I am calling mine a Cascading card. No matter what you call it, it is a neat layout!! I'll be making more of these.

Here is the same card in purples and olive using retired Stampin' Up! designer paper. These went to my sisters and they don't care if the paper is retired---just that it's pretty! ha! The card can be created from one sheet of cardstock. We will be making a card using this layout in my upcoming classes and then I will post instructions for you.

Here are two more cards I made to send to friends and relatives.

This one was inspired by Connie Babbert and a card she made.

OK, I could go on and on sharing Valentine cards. What a fun time of year. I hope you and your "love" do something special on Valentines day! Come back soon! Smiles, Laura

Valetine Day is almost here....

2012-02-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

Well, Valentines Day is almost here! I still have some Valentines to get in the mail tomorrow, but most of mine have been sent to out-of-town folks. I always send my three sisters cards on every occasion. They enjoy my work and seem to appreciate getting the cards. I think they all keep them, but my youngest sister Cynthia always puts out all her cards I've sent her for the particular occasion---like part of her decorations. I am flattered to the heart that she would save them and then display them all each year. Last summer I saw all her Fourth of July cards she had out and gee, it was very telling which were my first cards and which are my recent ones. Like anything that you practice at, I've improved over the years. It's not different whether or not your are playing golf, sewing and quilting, baking or making cards---we all improve with practice.

Today Cynthia sent me two pictures of the Valentines I've sent her over the years. I thought it would be fun to show them to you. Since there are several in each picture, it's hard to see them really good, but you can get the idea. Here is one table with some of them.

And here are others on another table.

Some of these I had truly forgotten and can hardly remember. I sure appreciate the fact that my sisters enjoy my hobby like this! Maybe I'll pull out some of my samples and use them myself to decorate my space!

Thanks for stopping by! Smiles, Laura

Happy birthday to a man!

2012-02-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

Today's share is a card for a man's birthday. We all know it's hard to find a "male theme" for a card. This paper just screamed "male" to me, so I decided to me a birthday card with it. The card is Baja Breeze layered with Soft Suede. Love that Soft Suede.

I used the Lovely As a Tree stamp set for the image. I used a variety of colors to color the leaves on the tree--to match the striped designer paper. That paper is cut to look like a striped ribbon.

And of course I used the Labels Collection dies to cut the shape for the tree and its backing.

The sentiment came from the Sweet Cake stamp set in the Occasions mini.

Thanks for stopping in today!! I'll have some Valentines to show you later---it IS almost time to put them in the mail. Smiles, Laura

Valentine Card Booklet....

2012-01-31T09:18:00.001-05:00

Hi, there! Today I want to share with you a card/booklet I made for my husband for Valentines Day. It just started out as a shadow box card my friend Judy wanted to make, but I'm not crazy about those, so I thought I'd make it like a booklet.

The size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"--our regular card size. I cut 4 pieces of Pear Pizzazz cardstock and scored each on at 1" from the short side (laying the sheets landscape). I cut 3 different designer sheets 4-1/4" x 4" and glued them on the right side of each of the first 3 cardstock sheets and stacked them in the order I wanted. the last cardstock sheet became the back sheet and was left blank at this point.

Starting with the third page from the front, I laid a heart die on it and cut it with the Big Shot. I laid that cut out sheet over the second sheet from the front and marked that cut out heart. I put the next larger heart die over that one and cut out a heart on that sheet. Then finally I put that sheet over the front, marked where the heart on page 2 was, then laid the next larger heart over it and cut it out. As you read these directions, look at each of the subsequent pictures to see how each heart shows the smaller under it. Starting with smaller to larger hearts helps you line them up correctly.

At this point I put the pages in the correct order and tied them together. Now I was ready to decorate each page. For the front, I took the red heart cut from page 2 and cut it with a size-smaller heart and used it to decorate the front. I added "Be my Valentine" stamp from the P.S. I Love You stamp set.

For the second page (inside page 1--my labels on the photos can be confusing--sorry!), I used the Heart punch to punch out a heart, sponged the edges and stamped the "love you" sentiment from the P.S. I Love You stamp set on it.

For page 3 (inside page 2), I used another sentiment from the same stamp set and also punched a heart from Pear cardstock with the Heart Punch.

For the back page, I glued the large heart cut from the front onto the plain Pear cardstock. I stamped the cupid from the P.S. I Love You set and punched it with the Heart Punch. I also stamped another sentiment from that set and punched it with the 1-1/4" circle punch. For the middle, I used the same size heart I had used on page 3 (inside page 2) and cut a heart from Vanilla cardstock. Onto that I stamped a sentiment from the Precious Butterflies Hostess set and sponged the edges. I made sure it exactly lined up with the page 3 cut out.

So that's it! Here is the book flared out so you can see all 4 pages.

What do you think? Think hubby will like it? I want to play more with the Hearts Collection dies. They will be so much fun to use!!

Thanks for visiting today.

Smiles, Laura

My Heading Photo...

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't had time to photo a pile of card for my heading picture, so I decided to add today's card as the heading shot. After all, it IS almost Valentines Day.

This card is a simple one to make but folks always like this fold. Start with a 4.5" x 11
piece of Always Artichoke cardstock and fold it in half (at 5.5"). Then score and fold the front at 2.75" and fold it "half-way back" and that gives you the front. I layered striped Rose Red DSP on the half of the front that folds back.

I cut a "doily" using the Perfect Pennants die and layered a heart stamped with the boy and girl from the Take It To Heart Stamp set. This is stamped in Melon Mambo.

Here is how the card would look opened up. For the inside, I used 5 stamps from the P.S. I Love You stamp set (Occasions mini). This set is one that I will keep for years because of all the great stamps in the set (15 in all!!). The images and sentiments are stamped with Artichoke and Melon Mambo inks.

We made this card in my January classes and I think the ladies liked it. I hope you do, too!

Smiles, Laura

Hello again...

2012-01-27T13:57:00.003-05:00

Where in the world have I been??? I hope you are asking that. Well, here and there. I don't know why I haven't posted in so long except to say that I've been creating rather than posting. If you too have a blog, you know it takes time to write and post entries. I really mean to post every other day, but I sometimes feel like I really just want to stamp. So I took a break and stamped (and do I have a bunch to share IF I can take time to write it all up!)

Oh, and I also had a birthday (this was a BIG one) and my hubby and I took a trip to TN to visit his sister and BIL for 5 days. She had baked for me my favorite cake (Italian Creme) and it was delicious. And we stamped together (more to show you). So that's another reason I've been away from the blog. I hope all of you have not stopped visiting me! If so, maybe you'll be back soon.

Today I want to share with you a challenge card I made and also two made by friends who participated.

Here is the picture that we were given as our challenge inspiration. We had to make a card that was inspired by this picture. Isn't this luscious looking!!

Here is the card that challenge hostess made and sent to me. Isn't it the most beautiful!!! It was made by Rose Kerry. Look at those flowers!! She put so much time and effort into the flowers. Rose always does such BEAUTIFUL work. I've shown you some of her work on here before. Thanks so much to Rose for this beauty. She nailed this challenge!!

Here is the card my challenge partner, Brenda Taylor, sent me. I LOVE it! It has inspired me by its simplicity. After I got this one, I just HAD to order the Bordering On Romance stamp set she used. I'll be "case-ing" this one!!

Here is the card I made for my challenge partner, Melody Martin. I used the sentiment from the new Sale-a-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set. I also used the new Labels Collection dies for the green and pink on the front.

I'm not sure what this layout is called, but my friend Judy Thompson (whom I stamp with frequently) taught me this one. I just LOVE it and have made others by this layout.

The top of the card flips up and the two sides at the bottom flip out to open.

Here is the card with the bottoms opened out.

And here is the card with both the top and bottom opened out.

To make this one, you start with a piece of cardstock that's 4.5" x 9". You score the top fold at 3.5" from one end, so when folded, the card id 5.5" long. The bottom piece is 2" wide and 8.5" long. Score that one at 2-1/8" from each side and fold the wides inward. Glue that onto the bottom of the card. It's that easy. If you need a picture of this, leave a comment and I'll add it another day.

Thanks for coming back to see me. I'll try not to be gone so long again, but you know how life can be. I have more to share, so you know I'll be back!!

Smiles, Laura

More Merry January....

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here is another card made using the Merry January series paper by We R Memory makers. This one used the "Slush" pattern for the background on the Very Vanilla card (which is also layered with Sahara Sand). There's that wavy striped pattern again for which I don't have the pattern name, but same series. That strip is layered on Sahara Sand punched out with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Boarder for each side.

The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs stamp set. I backed it with the Oval from the Designer Frames Embossing Folders set.

The hearts are cut with the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit die in the new Occasions Mini. It cuts and embosses at the same time. Wonderful tool!!! I used various patterns of paper for the hearts.

Here is a close-up of the hearts. You can almost see the pattern in each one.

I love the colors in this paper and how this card turned out. I hope you do, too. More for you another day!!

Come back soon!

Smiles, Laura

Merry January....

2012-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Back in November, I discovered some delightful paper at the local scrapbook store by We R Memory Keepers in the Merry January series. I just LOVED all of it. And since my birthday is in January, I decided I NEEDED some of the Merry January papers to use. It goes with Stampin' Up! Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake and others. I just had to buy sheets of each pattern in the series--Twig, Branch, Slush, Flake, etc. I'll be showing you cards in the next few entries that I made using this paper. I had so much fun using it.

Along with the Merry January papers, I also started using some of the new products I pre-ordered from the SU Occasions mini catalog. We can all start ordering from it this month.

This card is Pool Party card stock and I used the new Label Collection Framelits Die for the sentiment background. The dotted patterned paper is the flip side of the Merry January "FLAKE" paper. It goes with our black cardstock, so that's what I backed it with. I stamped the sentiment from the You're Cherished set. I only had one piece of the curly striped paper and no long have the name of it but it is from the Merry January series. Love the colors in it.

The flower is the Triple Treat Flower Single stamp and I stamped it twice, once on designer paper and one on Sahara Sand. I popped up the layers of the flower. The Sand backing behind the flower is also cut with the Labels Collection Framelit---a smaller one. And I punched out a Modern Label from black cardstock to go with the image.

This was a fun card and a layout I'm using again on another card. Thanks for looking today!! See you here again soon, I hope! Smiles, Laura

Bon-Bon, Anyone?

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, more candy today. Ha!! We're gaining pounds just readying my blog, huh? Hee,hee. This is about it for the candy, but I did want to share this one. Remember those bon bon of our childhood? We had them at Christmas time and always looked forward to them. They had white creamy insides and chocolate outside and were delicious. Well, I decided to make what looks like a box of 4 of them for a neat Valentine card.

I used the Stocking Accents die for the chocolates--the light bulb die in it. The card itself is white (run through the Perfect Polka Dots die) and I cut a Rose Red designer series paper circle and backed it with a Chocolate Chip circle to layer on the white card.

The sentiment on this one is from the Occasions Alphabet stamp set. I backed it with the Rose Red cut with the Scallop Oval punch, and layered that onto a Chocolate Chip piece punched with the Decorative Label punch.

Have a great day!! See you on another visit. Smiles, Laura

Hershey's Kiss...

2012-01-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to you all!! This is my first entry of 2012. Can you believe it is 2012 already???? Yesterday was my and hubby's 34th wedding anniversary and we went out for dinner last night. It started snowing while we were out and the roads all iced over. The 16 miles home were very slick and we skidded a few times, but arrived home safely. Whew! Glad he was driving! So today we are "iced in" and I will have some stamping time! So for today's share.....

You all saw my sample the other day using the Blossom Builder punch to make a piece of candy. When I discovered last fall that the punch would make a piece of candy that looked like a Hershey's kiss, I decided I'd HAVE to do this card (below) for my class in December--in preparation of Valentines Day. My hubby isn't a sweet eater, but does love just one piece of chocolate sometimes after dinner, so he enjoys Hershey's kisses.

For this card, I used Cherry Cobbler. I cut the white card stock using the Note Note die for the candy's background and stamped "Be My Valentine" from the Delightful Dozen stamp set. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip and colored in the "hollow spots" on the letters with the Cherry Cobbler marker.

For the kiss background, I ran aluminum foil from my kitchen through the Xyron so it would stick and cut it into 2" squares. I popped up the kiss and added a Cherry Cobbler heart to it, using the small heart punch. The little heart on the sentiment is from the Owl Builder Punch. And I used the quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon around the white Top Note.

Oh, the "I Love You" sentiment is from the Three Little Words set.

Well, thanks for stopping in today. Smiles, Laura

Deer at Christmas---well, barely after Christmas.

2011-12-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

OK, look away if you don't believe in killing Bambi because this picture is of a buck my husband shot last month. He is an 8-point and my husband was thrilled with the kill. Frank does always thank the spirit of those animals he kils for providing us with meat. Yes, we eat the meat---of anything he kills--and enjoyed some from this fellow for dinner several times so far.

I just had to show that nice fellow is a lead in for my card today. It has the buck reindeer from Winter Post on it. This card happens to be a masculine birthday card but I also made some cards like this as Christmas cards--just added different sentiment.

The designer paper used for this card is from the Letters to Santa series. It doesn't look like Christmas paper, but instead has a nice masculine look to it.

I used the Decorative Label, the Large oval and the 1-3/8" circle punches and the Lots of Tags die to make the sentiment on this one! The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs set. Love that set!!

See you here again! Smiles, Laura

Color Challenge.Sample......

2011-12-23T06:00:00.004-05:00

Recently I participated in a color challenge. We were given this pictures (below) to inspire our sample. I love the colors and Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso and Whisper White are the colors I decided to use.

Here is my card I made for my challenge partner. The card is Espresso, layered with Turquoise that I ran through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. I used a strip of striped Tempting Turquoise from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack to go down the card. I put Espresso behind that, which I had punched using my Scallop Trim Border for edging.

How do you like my "kiss" cholocate? I realized a few months ago that the largest petal on the Blossom Petal Builder Punch would make a delightful "Hershey's Kiss" and have been saving it to use for Valentines!

Well, this challenge pictures just begged me to use it now. I put tiny pearls from the Jewels pack all over the kiss. The "I love you" sentiment is from Three Little Words stamp set. The sentiment "Sweets for the Sweet" is from the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set.

I used the Designer Frames oval embossing folder as a backing for the "kiss."

The "sweets for the sweet" sentiment is punched from the 1-1/4" circle punch, layered onto a turquoise Scallop Oval and that is layered onto a Wide Oval of Espresso.

I hope my swap partner liked this card!! I had fun making it!!

Smiles, Laura

Beautiful Season....

2011-12-21T09:09:00.000-05:00

I had decided I would not purchase this stamp set and then I saw a card using it and decided I HAD to buy this set. It is a beautiful set--called Beautiful Season!

This card is white, layered with Cherry Cobbler, and then topped with white cardstock. I stamped the chickadee image on the white using black ink. Then I stamped it again on another sheet and punched out just the bird with my 1-3/8" circle punch. I colored that bird and popped it up over the original image.

I punched the Lace Ribbon Border from Cherry Cobbler cardstock and ran Very Vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon through it. I topped each flower on that with a Pearl Jewel.

I like how this card turned out. I hope it inspires you! Smiles, Laura

Sick? Ick!

2011-12-13T11:16:00.000-05:00

It's been so long since I posted! I'm sorry! It is a busy time of year and other things have taken precedent over my blog. I finally made time today to show you a new card.

This is a card I made for my friend Joan when she had surgery recently. Technically she wasn't sick, but I like this "sick-ick" stamp from the Word Play stampset and had to use it. I saw this little face fellow somewhere and had to use him on a card.

The card itself is Sahara Sand, layered with Wild Wasabi cardstock with So Saffron designer paper atop that.

The little face is punched using the 1-3/4" circle punch and I used various smaller circle punches for his eyes and "spots". His tongue is made using Blushing Bride cardstock and the Word Window punch.

Here is a close-up of the face. I used the white gel pen for accents on it.

Here is another card I made turned landscape with a red tongue on this fellow.

Joan liked her card and I think it cheered up her day!

Hope you all have a good one. I will try not to be away so long next time.

Smiles, Laura

Comfort and Joy....

2011-11-30T09:17:00.000-05:00

I've been absent a few days. We had a rather sad Thanksgiving. My step-mother had been in declining health for some time and was in Hospice care. She passed away Thanksgiving afternoon. Such a sad time for my dad--for us all. My husband and I were there with Dad and with her when she slipped away. So I've been out of town with family since last Wednesday. I am glad to be back with you all and back into my own routine.

Here is a card I made recently using the Stars die. The card itself is Concord Crush cardstock, layered with Brushed silver and topped with Wisteria Wonder that I ran through the Snow Burst embossing folder.

I punched the stars from Silver glimmer paper that I had torn the back layer of paper off--so it was not as heavy. I embossed the sentiment (from the Word Play stamp set) on Concord Crush cardstock with silver embossing powder. I punched this out with the Decorative Layer punch. I backed the with brushed silver card stock also punched with the Decorative Layer punch. The very smallest star on the "JOY" and on the card was punched using a little punch I had on hand.

Hope you enjoy this one! Thanks for visiting! Smiles, Laura

Woven Ribbon....

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw something in a stamping magazine the other day that inspired this card. The person had woven either ribbon or designer paper (I can't remember which) and covered the front of a card. I decided to give it a try.

This card is white, layered with Basic Black cardstock that I wrapped the Stampin' Up! 1-1/4" black and white striped grosgrain ribbon around. I used 3 pieces horizontally and 4 pieces vertically and wove them together. I then glued them around the black cardstock and added a red satin ribbon.

For my sentiment, I used a stamp from the Perfect Punches set. I stamped it in Black and Red (twice) and then punched the various circles out and the scalloped circle out and glued 3 layers--red, then black,then red. I like this touch on the card!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have shared all my fall/grateful cards, so you get a Christmas card on Thanksgiving. Such is life. We are spending Thanksgiving with my dad, so I'll get back to you on Monday!

Thanks for visitng!

Smiles, Laura

Snow in Capital Letters....

2011-11-22T07:54:00.000-05:00

I love using letters to spell out words on cards. These letters from the Serf Essentials Alphabet die set are LARGE, but I like using them occasionally.

For this card, I ran the Baja Breeze card (the front half) through the Big Shot using the Snow Burst embossing folder to give it texture.

I wanted the snow letters to have some sparkle to them, so I used my two-way glue pen on some areas of the letters, then dipped them in Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Love that effect. You can see it a bit in this picture.

This shot also shows the individual snowflakes I added. I used the Silver Glimmer paper for them. First I peeled the back layer of paper off it, then ran the paper through the Big Shot with the Northern Frost die. You might need to use a shim to get it to cut totally through the glimmer paper. But the results are worth it.

No, I'm not looking for snow yet, but I am about ready for the holidays to be here. Hope you are too!!
Thanks for visiting my blog today! Smiles, Laura

Single Snowflake....

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Is this an elegant card or what? Sometime I make a card that I just KNOW will be a hit. We are making this one in class this month and we all loved it.

The card is made from Concord Crush cardstock. I layered that with Whisper White with the sentiment stamped on it.

Next I cut a rectangle of Concord and punched a snowflake out using the Snowflake punch. It looks like there is a white snowflake glued onto the concord card, but no, it's punched out.

I popped up the small Concord card on the front of the white cardstock and glued one large rhinestone jewel in the middle of the snowflake. The small Corncord card part has a Pear Pizzazz ribbon tied around it.

Here is a close-up of the snowflake so you can see how popping it up allowed you to see under it a bit.

This shows the rhinestone in the center.

My class agreed this is the ideal Christmas card: it is elegant, yet simple enough that you could make a BUNCH of them pretty quickly. That's what we all want, right?

Come back to see me again soon!! Smiles, Laura

Christmas Tree lights....

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

What can I say? I LOVE this card!! I've shared this "funky folds" layout several times. I just had to use the Stocking Accents die to make some lights to put on this card.

My card is made from Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I layered Wild Wasabi on the front of the middle. That dotted paper is from the Holly Berry Bouquete series.

The bulbs are cut from Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock. I sponged color around the edges of each one to give it the illusion of dimension. But I also popped them up on the "string" That black string is just drawn on using a black pen. I used brushed silver cardstock also cut using the Stocking Accents die for the tops of the bulbs.

The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs set. I layered the large oval onto a Daffodil tag cut from the Lots of Tags die set.

Here is a side view of the "funky folds" card opened up. I think anyone would love this card! Here is the "how to" picture I shared back in February to show you how to make this card.

Isn't it fun!! Got out and make your own now.

Thanks for coming by today. Smiles, Laura

Let's go four wheeling....

2011-11-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

We always need a masculine card, don't we? Well, this one fits the bill. The card is Early Espresso. I layered it with Not Quite Navy that I ran through the Square Lattice embossing folder.

I took a 3" Cajun Craze square and cut it in half diagonally. Then I layered it with triangles of the Well Worn designer series paper.

The center 4-wheeler is from the Need for Speed stamp set. That is a wonderful set because it had a fast boat, car, plane and 4-wheeler---all great for cards for men and boys! I colored it with my aqua painter and ink pads.

The sentiment "spoil yourself today" is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by today!! Smiles, Laura

Gold Fall Leaves....

2011-11-11T19:42:00.001-05:00

Recently during one of my days devoted to stamping, I went back to the main reason I started stamping in the first place---gold embossing!! About 12 years ago, a few friends and I got together to stamp with the few stamps we all had. At that time, I thought any card that was pretty had to have gold embossing on it.

Once I found Stampin' Up! and their beautiful stamps and paper and ink, I dropped that embossing thing and now hardly ever emboss. That back then, I loved gold embossing.

So this card has leaves embossed with gold embossing powder and then colored in with my aqua painter and SU inks.

This is the Gently Falling set which I've used on my blog several times. The card itself is More Mustard cardstock, layered with Soft Suede and then the leaves are embossed on Very Vanilla.

I put ribbon around two opposite corners for alittle added interest.

Here is another card I made the same day. It, too, has gold embossing but not so many leaves. And the ribbon is just tied around the card.

Both of these cards would make great fall cards to send to someone to whom you want to express gratitude.

And I'm thankful to you for continuing to visit my blog! Come again soon!

Smiles, Laura

Day of Gratitude Again....

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'm sharing another card I made using the Day of Gratitude stamp set. this card is made using More Mustard, layered with Soft Suede. I ran the suede through the Square Lattice embossing folder. I punched a long piece of Cajun Craze with the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to put down the left side of this card.

I told you on my November 2 entry how to make this medallion. Go back to that entry to see how.

I embossed the sentiment in white for the bottom of this card. on Pear Pizzazz, then punched it with the Wide Oval Punch. I layered it on a Decorative Label punch from mustard cardstock.

I think this one will be a hit! See you soon, I hope!

Smiles, Laura

Two Candy Canes

2011-11-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today we are going to use the Stocking Accents die again to make candy canes. This is another fun one. This card uses Real Red and Old Olive, including the designer paper from the Brights Patterns DSP Stack.

I told you in my last entry how to make the cnady canes--cut a red and a white one, and glue every other section of the white onto the red. (The die has perferations to showing where to cut.) I crossed these two and tied a ribbon around them both.

This sentiment is from the Occasions Alphabet set. I stamped it on white and punched it with the Scallop Oval punch, then layered that onto a Wide Oval punch in olive.

I added three little rhinestone jewels at the bottom for "bling".

I'll be showing some other cards made using the Stocking Accents in the near future. Visit often!!

Smiles, Laura

Candy Cane Fun....

2011-11-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

I bought the Stocking Accents from the Holiday Mini and have had so much fun playing with it. Here is a cute candy cane card I made using the die. We made this card in class and my customers thought it was a bit of work, but you can make these while you watch TV one evening.

Let's talk about the background on this one. One day when friend Judy and I were stamping, we used some non-Stampin' Up! paper to "try" this card. I had this designer paper on hand and used it. But for class I wanted to use Stampin' Up! paper. So for this card, first I stamped the little red images on Baja Breeze paper from the Subtles Patterns DSP Stack using the French Foliage set. Then I ran it though the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and then I sanded it with a sanding block. Look closely at these two cards. Doesn't the "created" paper give the same effect as the original designer paper?

Here is a close-up of the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

Now here is the candy cane. For it, you need to cut both a red and a white one using the die and Big Shot. Then cut off every one white one and glue it onto the red one. That's what I meant about doing this while you watch TV or some other activity. I tied a Baja Breeze seam tape ribbon around it.

Some might not think the Baja Breeze is a "traditional" Christmas color, but I like this card!!

Well, more later. Have a great day and come back soon!! Smiles, Laura

Grateful....

2011-11-04T13:59:00.000-04:00

Here is a card I made the other day using Pear Pizzazz layered with River Rock. I topped that with this delightful designer paper from the Spice Cake collection.

For the sentiment, I used the oval from the Designer Frames embossing folder set with Pear and cut around it. I love how it has those raised dots and WISH we had an oval die or punch that would punch it out. But I cut it with scissors. Then I punched out a River Rock oval using the Wide Oval punch. I inked the "Grateful" word of the "Grateful Greetings" stamp from the Grateful Greetings stamp set (I know, that's alot of GRATEFUL) with my Always Artichoke marker and stamped in. It is on vanilla cardstock. Then I punched it with my Decorative Label punch. I reinserted the cardstock in the punch, just barely in, and punched it again to make a narrow label. Love it!!

I cut a small snip of Victoria Crochet Trim and attached it to the edge with a Green Circle Ice Rhinestone brad. Hard to see that green here, but it shows up well in real life.

This isn't a hard or complicated card, but a nice one to send to someone to express your appreciation for them. And I appreciate your visit to my blog today!!

Smiles, Laura

Green Pear....

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a card I created recently using the hostess set, Faith in Nature. Everyone seems to love this set. I used the pink and green designer paper from the Letters to Santa pack. Yes, honest, it does have this pink and green paper in it. I couldn't see it on a Christmas card, but could on this one.

Here is the pear. I colored it green---yes, all the pears I've been making pear preserves from have been green, not yellow. This card is Lucky Limeade and I used Blushing Bride with it.

You can see here that I embossed the background pink using the Houndstooth embossing folder. Love that new one!

Thanks for checking out my blog today. See you soon!! Smiles, Laura

Day of Gratitude....

2011-11-02T11:41:00.000-04:00

Did you notice my new banner photo? I put several cards on it, including the one I'm sharing today. I love this Day of Gratitude medallion. I saw one colored similar to this one on Regina Andari's blog and found out later she made if using MDS. Mine is stamped with VersaMark ink on white cardstock and embossed with white embossing powder. Then I "burnished" it using sponge daubers with four colors--Pear Pizzazz, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, and Soft Suede. Then I cut out the medallion to put on this card. This card using the "funky folds" layout I've shared with you before. Check some of my earlier entries for instructions.

Here is a close-up of that medallion

I love the fall colors on this one. And that sentiment from the Days of Gratitude stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll have more fall samples to share in the days to come.

Smiles, Laura

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here is one more Halloween card I what to share. Yes, I used some of the same bats, owls and sentiments on these, and just varied the layouts. This one is Cajun Crazy, Black and Old Olive. I think I've given details on the parts of the card on other previous entries.

Here is a close-up of the owl.

Just had to show you this one last Halloween card on Halloween day. I hate to think it's over until next year!! OK, now on to fall. I'll be showing fall cards in the next few days.

Thanks for visiting my blog!! Smiles, Laura

Warmest of Wishes...

2011-10-29T06:00:00.002-04:00

Here is another Halloween card I made. I LOVE making Halloween cards---almost more than any other season. This one used the Spider Web embossing folder on grey cardstock for the background. I sponged some white craft ink on it to make it pop!

I stamped the little owl from the Warmest of Wishes hostess set for this one. He is stamped in black, with his mask colored with Olive and his bag and beak colored with Cajun Craze.

The little spider on this one is from the Dark and Dreary set. The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen set.

The background for the owl's circle is cut out with the Perfect Pennants die from Black and Cajun Craze. I love the effect of those two decorative circles.

Come back again soon!! Smiles, Laura

Diagonal Halloween....

2011-10-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I shared three cards with you using diagonal stripes on them. I said you can use any designer paper to make any card theme with this layout. To prove my point, I used these Halloween papers from the Frightful Sight designer paper pack. Instead of ribbon, I used the Silver Glimmer cardstock on the Halloween card.

I used the candelabra, spider,and raven from the Dark & Dreary stamp set on this one. I colored some on the candles.

This is another fun card! Hope you enjoyed it. Go try these diagonal strips yourself!! Remember they are cut 1" wide, but you could use any width!

Smiles, Laura

Diagonal Stripes....

2011-10-27T16:49:00.004-04:00

I'm sharing three cards today. They all use the same layout, but different colors.

This first one uses Real Red and Old Olive from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack.

I cut the strips 1" wide. I glued them onto a piece of red cardstock.

The wreath on the cards is from the Bright Hopes set. I stamped it in Olive. I punched the red "berries" using the smallest eye punch in the Owl Builder Punch. I tied the 1/8" red ribbon into a small bow to put on the wreath. I tied Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon around the card. I didn't realize until later that this is retired ribbon; but you could use Real Red satin ribbon on it.

For this card (below), I used the dotted and striped BOTH from Old Olive. It looks nice, too, and you can

use either colors. The sentiment on this one is from the Grateful Greetings stamp set.

You might remember this card (below). I shared it with you some time back. Well, the ones I'm sharing today use this same layout but for Christmas cards. This is a very good way to use up your old scraps of designer paper. Since the strips are only 1" wide and about 4" long, you cna use any scraps left over from card fronts to create this layout.

Hope you like these three! Come back again soon! Smiles, Laura

We have a new baby in our family....

2011-10-24T01:44:00.003-04:00

I made this card over a month ago in anticipation of my nephew and his wife having their baby boy. Well, Elias Ryan arrived last Tuesday and I mailed the card, so now I can share it on my blog. (Yes, my family reads my blog so I couldn't post it until Elias arrived.) I did show it on some of the yahoo groups I'm in and at least one person has already CASE'd it and posted it on her blog with a link to mine, so I figured I'd better get it up!!

The little chest of drawers is Bashful Blue and is made from a 4.5" x 11" piece of cardstock that I folded so it would stand up. I cut it down some so with the "top" on it , it would fit an envelope. I sponged all the edges of the pieces to give it "dimension". And I popped up the second drawer with the duckie and bear spilling out so it would look like someone left it open a bit. Cute!!

To cut out the bottom of the chest to make the legs, I used the Curly Label punch, punching twice. I also used that same punch to get the shape on the top of the check. The knobs are made from Marina Mist, punched with the 1/4" circle punch.

I used the Baby Bundle stamp set for the bib, duckie, bear, and onesie.

Here is the inside. I used some retired stamps here but that's OK.

I also wanted to send my sister (the new grandmother) a card and here is the one I made for her and my BIL. It also is Bashful Blue. The baby is punch art. If you even see the heading of my blog, you KNOW I love punch art.

Here is a close-up of the baby. (Ed.note: Just found out that Ellen Kemper originally created this baby. I've seen him on many blogs since. Thanks, Ellen.) Can you see that little curl at the top of his head? Elias is much smaller, but it won't be long before he crawls.

And here is the sentiment on the front of this one.

I got to personally meet baby Elias today and he's is BEAUTIFUL!!! My nephew was quite proud of him, and rightly so. My sister Cynthia (the grandmother) was so cute holding her first grandchild. She just doesn't know how her heart will never be hers again!! There's just something about those grandchildren, as she will learn.

Thanks for looking at these baby cards today. I had fun making them and anticipating this new life!! We'll all enjoy him!!
Smiles, Laura

NCSUD Blog Hop

2011-10-23T11:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to my blog as the next stop on the NCSUD Holiday Hop. You arrived here from Kathy Hunt's blog. I hope you are enjoying the hop and see some things today that inspire you.

The stamp set I'm using today from the Holiday Mini is Gentle Falling. This is a wonderful set for beautiful fall and Thanksgiving cards. This first card has the outlines of the oak leaf stamped in three colors on the background in three colors--Perfect Plum, More Mustard, and Old Olive. On the three panels on the front, I stamped the outlines in black and then the solid leaves stamped in the three colors. The ribbon on this one is the interesting part. I used the Black and White striped ribbon and colored the white stripes in the three colors--mustard, plum and olive--using my markers. I love the fact that this black and white ribbon can be any color you want by using the markers to color it.

My second card is made from Cajun Craze, layered with white and More Mustard. I stamped the leaves--the oak and maple--in Early Espresso and then over stamped them with the solid images in Perfect Plum, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard.

This card was one I made for a swap I participated in recently. It, too, has three panels. This card is Soft Suede and uses Pool Party behind one of the designer sheets from the Spice Cake pack. That is wonderful designer paper. These leaves are stamped in Suede on Pool Party and More Mustard cardstock. The sentiment is from the Always Thankful stamp set, also in the Holiday Mini.

Here is a close-up of the leaves and ribbon.

My sisters and I are giving a shower for our nephew's bride-to-be this weekend, and I worked on the invitations. We wanted a fall theme, so I decided to layout the invitations on my computer and to stamp each one with the outline leaves of the smallest leaf in the Gently Falling set. Don't you think the leaf made a nice border at the top and bottom of this invitation? The bride was very pleased with them.

This next one has a Tangerine Tango card , layered with Crumb Cake that I ran through the Square Lattice embossing folder. I stamped leaves in Tangerine, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive on white card stock. I punched out shapes with the Curly Label punch and glued them behind the white to make a border of Old Olive. Then I wrapped Hemp Twine around the white.

And one more share:

I have used this "funky fold" layout before. (You'll find it with instructions on how to cut it on my entry on Feb. 23, 2011. You will have to convert it from a portrait card to a landscape layout but the concept is the same.) This sample also used the Spice Cake designer paper. These three leaves were "left over" from the sample I made above so I had to use them.  Ha. I used the oval Designer Frames embossing folder in Pool Party and cut it out. Then I stamped the sentiment on vanilla and punched it with the Wide Oval Punch or layer on the frame.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the samples I made with this very versatile stamp set. Thanks for visiting today. Now, hop on over to the next stop on the hop at  Lisa Tedder's blog.
Smiles, Laura

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Owl Out on a Limb....

2011-10-22T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today I'm showing a card I sent to some of my grand-nephews. This little owl came from the Warmest of Wishes Hostess set. I stamped him in black and colored the beak and bag with Pumpkin Pie and the mask using Old Olive.

For the background, I ran black cardstock through the Spider Web embossing folder. I sponged some vanilla and white ink on it to make it show up more.

Here is a close-up of the little owl. The grey clouds are punched using the Cupcake Builder punch.

And here is the sentiment--from the Grateful Greetings set.

Hope you like this one!! Smiles, Laura

The Devil Made Me Do it!

2011-10-20T06:00:00.003-04:00

OK, that title got your attention, right? Today I am sharing the Halloween card I sent to my friend Regina and my sister Connie and my SIL Mary Ann. I think they will all like it!!

I had seen a little devil on Ellen Kemper's blog a year or so ago (she's in a punch art "slump" right now while doing some house renovations) and knew I wanted to try one. I don't remember if hers had a body or not. I did see another devil on a couple of other blogs this year and theirs did not have a body. Mine does.

I punched the head using the Owl Builder punch and added the wings from the Bird Builder punch for the ears. One blossom from the Blossom Petals Builder punch makes the beard. The nose is the 1/2" circle punch. The 1/2" circle punch also made the white horns. I just free-hand cut the body. I sponged the red pieces to add depth.

Here is the sentiment---from the Delightful Dozen set. I added a Silver Glimmer cardstock strip to the center of the card. I think that shine adds alot.

It's fun every year to come up with some new punch art for cards. I love punch art!!

Visit me often!! Smiles, Laura

Trick or Treat Kitty.....

2011-10-18T06:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I shared Dillon's Halloween card. Today I'm sharing one I made for granddaughter Jessica and also for my sister Cynthia. Both of them have cats so I thought they'd like this one.

I used designer paper from the Frightful Sight pack. I love this paper!! The fact that it has a black cat on it made it perfect for this card!

I used the large oval punch for the head and the Curly Label punch made the mask. The body is also the Large Label Punch. I used the 5-Petal Flower punch for the ears and for the legs.

Here is a close-up of the cat. I sponged some white around the pieces so they show up better. That moon is punched from Daffodil Delight cardstock, sponged with Cajun Craze.

The bat is the retired SU punch. I used the Gel pen for the eyes. I love the Silver Glimmer cardstock and added it down the center of the card.

The sentiment came from the Delightful Dozen set. Lots of neat sentiments in that set!! I punched the sentiment using the Modern Label punch, layered that on the Curly Label punch (Cajun) and that onto the Decorative Label punch.

It will be fun to see how Jessica and Cynthia like their card!!

Stop in again soon!! Smiles, Laura

Halloween Coffin....

2011-10-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

This card will be the Halloween card I am sending to my grandson Dillon. I saw a coffin box on someone's blog and decided it might be fun to make a coffin card. He'll like it. I free-hand cut the pattern. It's sort of hard because the fold is on an angle on the left side.

I drew the spider web using the white Signo Gel pen. Then I stamped the black spider in the center.

I used the Naturally Serif Decorative Strip die to cut the BOO out of white. I sponged some grey on it.

Here is the inside of the card. This bat punch by Stampin' Up! was retired last year. I hate that because it's a great little punch. Oh, well, I use mine anyway and am so glad I bought it while it was available.

The sentiment is from the Grateful Greetings stamp set. I hope Dillon likes the card!! Smiles, Laura

Pam's Giraffe

2011-10-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

My friend Pam has thousands (yes, truly thousands) of giraffes in her home. She has them on her purses, clothes, key chain, everywhere. So I knew for her birthday I had to make her a giraffe card. Here is the one I made her.

I used various punches to build the little fellow. His head is a 1-1/4" circle, his nose and mouth are the small oval and his ears are the 5-Petal Flower punch. I just free-hand cut his neck but used 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches for the spots.

The designer paper on this one is from the Spice Cake pack.

Here is a close-up of the face.

I used the Large Oval punch for the sentiment and backed that with a Pear Curly Label and put an Early Espresso Decorative Label behind that.

Hope you like this one! Stop in another day!! Smiles, Laura

Dasher.....

2011-10-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

Remember our deer Dasher that we used so much last Christmas? Well, we're at it again. This is a beautiful stamp and so easy to use. I had this beautiful designer paper with deer on it that just went with Lucky Limeade so I decided to use it and add our own Dasher! He coordinates so well with the design on the paper. Yes, it's a simple card, but sometimes it's hard to improve on simple.

I added small gold "bling" onto each of the curls on Dasher's antlers. And of course he had to get one on his nose!

Stampin' Up! new Ruffled Ribbon is great on this card. I also added three gold "blings" on each side of the sentiment. I thought that would set it off nicely! Do you like it??

All these Christmas cards are getting me in the Christmas mood, but never fear---I will have Halloween samples to show you soon. I've been busy making some cute Halloween cards, too.

See you another day!! Smiles, Laura

Joy, joy, joy....

2011-10-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

I recently purchased the new SU Stocking Accents die and have had fun playing with it. Here is a card I made using the candy cane on the die to spell out the word JOY. I used some red and white striped paper for the "letters" (candy cane). You see more made with these later. I punched out two of them for the Y and cut one off. This card is another one in Real Red. I use a lot of that color this time of year.

For the "O" in JOY, I used the Northern Frost strip die to punch out a red snowflake and a white one, then layered the two. I put a green glimmer brad in the middle of it to coordinate with the background print.

I think this one turned out to be a cute card, too. Hope you like it!

Smiles, Laura

Christmas trees....

2011-10-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

When we were stamping (playing) the other day, Judy had this paper that she wanted us to use for a card. We decided to highlight certain trees, so we used a circle die to punch out these three trees. We cut a larger circle of the Real Red cardstock using the next larger size circle. The card itself is also Real Red with Wild Wasabi layered on it. I love that White Dotted Red Ribbon we added. Yes, this is a simple layout, but it was fun to make!

See you another day!! Smiles, Laura

Beautiful snowflakes...

2011-10-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

I know it's really too early to start thinking about snowflakes, but Judy and I were stamping the other day and our focus was on Christmas and winter cards and we were determined to use up some of the mass of designer paper we have both accumulated. Don't we all collect so much!! We LOVE it but then hoard it! This one went beautifully with our Stampin' Up! Pool party paper so we used that. We used the Northern Frost die to punch these snowflakes out.

See the silver glimmer brads we added to the center of each flake. Love those glimmer brads!!

On this picture you can see some of the beautiful sparkly snowflakes on the designer paper.

This card has a "barn door" opening. Her is the inside--more snowflakes.

Here is a second card made using the same designer paper, just another spot on the sheet. This one has a LARGE glittery snowflake on it and I could not bear to put anything else over it. It IS the focal point of this card. Yes, a simple card, but lovely. Again, I added a punched snowflake on the front along with my sentiment.

For this snowflake, I added a clear rhinestone brad to the center of the snowflake.

Wanted to show you a close-up of that snowflake--maybe you can see the shimmer on it.

I hope this has started you thinking about Christmas cards and winter, too. We had our first frost yesterday morning - very EARLY in the season for us - so maybe it's time to think of winter. ha! Not. We haven't had our lovely fall yet. The leaves should peak in color the next two weekends. Ah, fall!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Smiles, Laura

Christmas Ornament and Cardinal

2011-10-04T15:42:00.001-04:00

Today I'm sharing with you two cards I made using the same layout, but with different colors and different stamp sets.

This first one uses the bird from Forest Festivities. To get the interesting cut she's inside of, I cut the Cherry Cobbler square to 3-1/4" and then put it all the way into the Decorative Label punch to punch it. Then I turned it 90 degrees and lined it up in the middle and punched again. That's it---so simple!! I did then trim it to 3" square so that it had room to layer on the green and blue squares and still fit the card.

This card is Cherry Cobbler and I ran it through the new Snow Burst embossing folder. Love that one!!

It's hard to tell it here, but I used Dazzling Details on the little birds cap brim and ball and also on the ornament. On subsequent cards like this, I actually colored the ornament blue before applying the Dazzling Detail.

Here is a close up of the sentiment. I used Marry Christmas from the Forest Festivities set, also, and layered it with Marina Mist, Cherry and Wild Wasabi. I used the checked Frostwood Lodge designer paper on this one.

Here is another card I made using the same layout. This one uses Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke as the cardstock colors. The stamp sets used on this one are Autumn Splendor and Blessings from Heaven.

Thanks for visiting today!! Smiles, Laura

Lots of "Grateful"....

2011-10-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

Last entry I told you about the carnival we had at church. Many people helped with it so I wanted to thank them all. Here are some thank you cards I made to send to them.

The card itself is Soft Suede layered with Crumb Cake. I used retired designer paper for the front. The basket of pears and the sentiment are from the Always Thankful stamp set in the new Holiday Mini. I love this set. I punched the pear basket out using the 1-3/4" circle punch. To have a larger circle to layer it on, I used the Round Tab punch and punched one from Pool Party and one from Basic Grey and layered them to make a circle. Neat idea, huh:?

Here is a close-up for that. I colored these with markers and also ink and my aqua painter.

For the sentiment, I punched with the Decorative Label from Pool Party, then a 1-3/8" circle from Soft Suede and then used a die from the Lots of Tags die set and cut one from Basic Black. I punched out GRATEFUL using the large oval punch.

I hope the folks who helped with the carnival liked their "thank you" cards.

Here is the same card, made using designer paper from the Spice Cake series in the Holiday Mini.

As with the other one, I punched a 1-3/4" circle, layered a 1/2" circle on top and added a brad to put on the striped part down the side, just to add more interest.

I love this layout and have used it before and will probably again. Hope you like it, too.

Smiles, Laura

FROGS.....

2011-09-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

In August we had a Back-to-School Carnival and Marionette Show at our church. We decorated for a carnival0like atmosphere and had games and afterwards had a marionette show about a prince who was turned into a frog. We decided our carnival's theme would be Fully Rely On God (FROG) and would give frog finger puppets and other frogs to the children as a reminder of this theme and admonition.We asked church members to sign up to bring food, to host games, to decorate, etc. I wanted something that would catch members' eyes for sign-up so I made these frog to add to the sign-up charts.

Here is a close-up of one little fellow. I used various punches (and I think you can tell which ones) to punch his parts. Three of those shown have their legs in place, so they aren't mobile.

For this fellow below, I added brads as the joints for his arms and legs, so that I could pose him in many ways. Look at him all streched out and you can see one in the picture above waving. If you need to make frogs for any event, you can use this one as an idea.

We had a great carnival. I think all the kids enjoyed taking their frogs home with them!

Smiles, Laura

Out on a Limb....

2011-09-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

I want to share a Halloween card with you today. I don't send alot of Halloween cards, but each year try to make a few to send to my grandchildren, sisters, etc. This one uses the Out On a Limb stamp set.

I was inspired by this card my friend Rose Kerry sent me. She does such beautiful work!! I loved the layout on her card and decided I'd use it for my card.

OK, so back to my card. (You can ooohhh and aaaahhh over Rose's at your leisure then back to mine. Hee hee.)

My card takes its colors from the Frightful Sight Designer paper pack. I used Old Olive for the card, then layered on Basic Black. I cut squares and rectangles of designer paper patterns to layer on top of the black.

The silver stripe is the new Silver Glimmer Paper in the Holiday Mini. I LOVE how bright it is. It's so fun to use.

For the focal point, I cut from Cajun Craze and Basic Black using the Perfect Pennants die. I stamped the cat, limb and moon from the Out On A Limb set onto white cardstock that I had cut using the Circles #2 die.

The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set, stamped in black. I stamped the limb the kitty is on with Basic Gray in. So how did I get the cat on the limb so perfectly? Well, I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner. This tool is a MUST. I even used it to stamp the moon in the correct place.

This card will be going to my sisters for Halloween! Sorry, girls, no surprise now!

Hope you will all visit my blog again soon!! Smiles, Laura

Stockings, stockings.....

2011-09-26T10:34:00.002-04:00

I know you've seen the new Stocking Builder Punch! Well, I have found it's so much fun to play with. No, I didn't get the coordinating stamp set, but have had fun using designer paper and card stock to make my own stockings. Here is a card we made this month in class. We punched two stockings from designer paper and one from Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I used the Cobbler marker and my Uni-Ball white gel pen to "stitch" the stocking tops, toes and heels. I used the mat pack to punch holes around the white cardstock so I could "stitch" with the cobbler marker.

Here is a close up of the top of the card. I put linen thread at the corner of each stocking and "hung" them using silver brads. And Merry Christmas is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

This card would be fun to write kids or family member names on the tops of each stocking (or even pets). Oh, my, I've already bought some Christmas gifts and am beginning to get in the Christmas spirit!!

Come back again, OK?

Smiles, Laura

Bright Hope...

2011-09-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

If you are like me, you need alot of Christmas cards to send to family and friends. Since I cannot stand making 150 or so of the same card, each year I make a BUNCH of Christmas card layouts, to show my husband to select which ones we will send to friends and family. Many get nixed but still are very good cards. Here is a card I designed as a possible Christmas card. I won't do alot of them, but did want to show it to you.

The card stock is cut 6.5" wide (5.5" high) and folded in half to make a 3.25" card. I love this size if you are using designer paper, because you can layer with 3" wide pieces of it. It helps a pack of designer paper go further and still decorate your cards.

The card itself is Wild Wasabi layered with Holly Berry Bouquet Speciality Designer paper. I stamped the wreath from Bright Hopes on vanilla and layered that on Real Red cardstock.

The close-up of the wreath shows the red dots I put on the wreath. These were punched from the eyes of the owl in the Owl Builder punch. That's the 1/8" Real Red ribbon for the bow.

For the sentiment, I punched two real red Designer Labels and cut them in half, to layer behind the vanilla label. The sentiment is also from the Bright Hope set.

The ribbon is ---OMG---Retired!! I didn't realize that until this minute. Stampin' Up! still has many colors of the 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, but the Real Red they retired this year. Well, substitute Cherry Cobbler for the Real Red on this card and you are good to go! I used the piece of Wasabi that I cut off the edge of the 8.5" x 5.5" piece to make that part that sticks out. When mounting this, be sure it does not stick out past the 4.25" mark or it won't fir the standard card envelope. I like to always make sure cards will fit into standard envelopes I have on hand.

Hope you like this one today. Thanks for visiting my blog!!

Smiles, Laura

Simply Soft....

2011-09-20T17:06:00.000-04:00

I love this Simply Soft Hostess set! The card I am sharing today is made from Elegant Eggplant cardstock, layered with Wisteria Wonder on top. I'm not sure if you can tell it, but I stamped the flower all over the Wisteria Wonder cardstock. I layered a Wisteria Wonder designer sheet piece from the Patterns stack onto Elegant Eggplant and put that over the solid Wisteria Wonder. I used the 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Elegant Eggplant around the card.

Here is a close-up of the flowers. I stamped them frist in Eggplant. I stamped the solid image over them in Wisteria Wonder first and then with Perfect Plum. I love these folowers. I can see using them in lots of different colors. I colored the stems with the Certainly Celery marker.

The sentiment is from the Blessing From Heaven set. That set has a BUNCH of great stamps in it.

This is a simple card and quick to make. But it would be useful for any occasion. I like cards that can be used for many occasions.

I know my postings have been sporatic. I wish I could post more regularly, but we are still busy with gardening things, trips to the doctors, etc. I'll do better in a bit. Thanks for sticking witih me!!

Smiles, Laura

Milk can of rye....

2011-09-14T14:01:00.001-04:00

Here is a card I made recently using the Always Thankful set. This is a great set to play with. This card is More Mustard, layered with Always Artichoke. I have a layer of non-Stampin' Up! designer paper over that. I stamped the can of rye on Vanilla cardstock ad layered that on Cajun Craze. For that little accent, I punched an Artichoke circle with the 1-3/8" circle punch and another from Mustard with the 1-1/4" circle punch. I added 3 gold brads for interest.

Here is the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wisher stamp set using black ink. I punched that our with the Scalloped Oval punch. I punched an oval using the large oval punch and cut it in half to go behind the sentiment. I layered it onto a wide oval from Artichoke and put that onto a mustard Curly Label that I cut in half to show on each side. I love multiple layer sentiments on cards!

You can see the Mustard Scallop Dots grosgrain ribbon I tied around it with the dots facing the back.

I have shown you this layout before, but I find it's one I can use over and over.

Thanks for visiting today!! Smiles, Laura

I'm back...

2011-09-14T13:35:00.001-04:00

I am truly sorry it's been so long since I posted. Hubby and I went to visit my sister at Isle of Palms, SC, last Thursday, returning Sunday. It was a very restful time, especially for him. He is still recovering and needed the rest and change of scenery. Charleston was having their Restaurant Week and many, many restaurants were offering specials on their dishes, so we ate our Friday and Saturday night. Friday we ran into Charleston from Isle of Palms (IOP) so of course I had to snap pictures of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge that goes into Charleston over the Cooper River from IOP. I never get tired of riding over this bridge!!

And of course here is an "official" photo of it from a distance. It is a beautiful bridge and replaces the old Cooper River Bridge we went over as children.

If you get to Charleston, be sure to take a ride over this bridge. My sister has done the local "run" over it that they hold each year and she suggested once we "walk" it but, hey, even walking it would be more than I could do. ha! No, I'll enjoy it by car!

OK, I'm going to close out this explanation of where I've been and show you some stamping!!

Smiles, Laura

Love and Sympathy

2011-09-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

Today I wanted to share with you another card we made recently in class that uses the Love and Sympathy stampset. For this one, the shape is alittle different. I cut a piece of CS 8.5" x 5.". Then I cut 2.5" off one end, leaving the card \6" x 5.5". Folded in half, this made a card 3" x 5.5". With the piece I cut off, I cut the length to 4.25" (toss that little bit cut off) and laid it across the card. I cut a "notch" into the end that extends over the side of the card. So the card is still 5.5" x 4.25" and will still fit into a regular size #2 envelope. I love having a different layout/shape but being able to use the regular envelopes I keep on hand.

This card is Lucky Limeade and is layered with Rich Razzleberry. You cane see that I stamped the flower from Love and Sympathy onto the Razzleberry in Rezzleberry, to decorate the cardstock a bit.

I used paper from the Pocketful of Posies suite to layer onto the Limeade, also cut out with a "notch". I layered Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon on to that.

I used markers to color the flower and stamped it on a circle cut with the Circles #2 die. I punched smaller circles from Limeade and Razzleberry using the 1-3/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches. The circle with the flower is popped up with dimensionals. And I stamped the sentiment from the Perfect Words hostess set in Razzleberry.

Another day I'll share a Christmas card I made using this same layout.You know by now that I love finding layouts and using them in several different colors and stamps!

Thanks for stopping in!!

Smiles, Laura

Three Leaves....

2011-09-05T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today I thought I'd share a card we are making in class this month. I'm feeling like fall and leaves!! So I used the Leaves #2 die on this one. It's a fairly simple card, but would be good for many occasions. In fact, I made several and sent one as a birthday card to my sister Connie, one to friend Vicky for her birthday, one to welcome a new couple into our church fellowship, and one to say Thank You to Jackie for keeping Gabby for us while Frank was in the hospital. As you can tell, it's versatile--just change the sentiment at the bottom!

For this card, I used Baja Breeze for the card itself, layered with Pear Pizzazz. I cut two Pear Pizzazz leaves and one from Baja. I also cut three more leaves from Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper and from the Patterns Stack DSP. I free hand cut the designer paper leaves---not the cardstock ones. Then I glued the halves of the designer paper leaves onto the cardstock ones. (Of course I sponged all the edges first with my accent color, Not Quite Navy.) That's also a piece of Not Quite Navy behind the leaves and the stripe at the bottom is from the Regals Pattern Stack.

Here is close-up of the sentiment. The sentiment is from the hostess set Perfect Words. I punched two sizes of circles to go at each end of the sentiment and added a brad on each end.

Before making the card above, I had made this one (below) from non-SU paper, just playing with layouts. That card is Perfect plum and uses Certainly Celery.

Close-up of leaves.

Sentiment:

I'd say this card's pretty in just about any color combination you can think of . I'm already thinking of some yellow and oranges for fall!!!
Thanks for stopping in!!

Card from Judy...

2011-09-03T10:41:00.001-04:00

You've heard the saying, "the brain is the second thing to go and I forget the first one," right? Well, last night my friend Judy said I had not posted her card to Frank and me on my blog and I insisted I had done so. But I came home and looked and remembered that I had taken this picture of it and didn't like the sun shining on the table and had intended to take another shot and then share the card. Well, the brain went and I forgot to take that picture and add it to my blog!! So sorry, Judy, because yours was the first handmade card we got and we loved it!!

OK, so today I took another shot---in fact, several shots because it's a "two part" card. Here is the card as it came out of the envelope.

Then you pull out the center (see the bow under the snap in picture above and then on the separate card below). That "inner card" just slides inside the cover.

And that inside part opens up to hold the sentiment inside of it. Isn't this the coolest design and what beautiful colors, too. I'm sorry I failed to take the picture over and include it the other day.

While I'm sharing cards by Judy, here is a card that she and I made (we each made a card) the other day when we were playing. She designed this one. It uses the Fabulous Florets set from the Summer Mini which was also included in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog. I love this set. Judy did a great job of planing the layout for this one.

Great to have you stop by today! See you again! Smiles, Laura

You are a Blessing.....

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a card I made recently when my friend Judy was over playing. No, that isn't Stampin' Up! designer paper, but the card stock is. I used Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke and Certainly Celery cardstock on this card.

This leaf is from the Autumn Splendor set---and isn't it about time to start thinking about autumn! While we are still having hot days, you can tell that fall is around the corner. I mean, how long can this summer last???

For the cut-out for the leaf, I punched a 3.25" square with the decorative punch. I turned it 90 degrees and punched it again, being careful to line up the punch each time. It make a neat cut-out, doesn't it? The leaf is stamped on white card and colored. I also sponged some color around the edges.

In the background of this shot, you can seen that I ran the card side-ways through the Stripes embossing folder. This is a neat one that can be used either way.

Here is the sentiment. It is from the new Blessings from Heaven stamp set. There are lots of great sentiments in this set. Check it out.

I hope you liked this sample. Come back my way soon.

Smiles, Laura

The rest of the cheer.....

2011-08-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here are the other "hand-made" card Frank and I recieved over the last few weeks (see the last entry). They are all so lovely.

This one from Barbara was to me, to cheer me on in my "nursing" duties.

Ginny knew Frank could not WAIT to get home from the hospital and sleep in his own bed. Cute card, huh?

Joan was worried I'd be "udderly exhausted" making the long drives to Asheville each day, so she made this one for me!

Marge's was to Frank and isn't it a lovely masculine one!

And Vicky knew I needed all the prayers I could get as worried as I was!!

What in the world would we do without our friends!! These and all the other beautiful, funny, and kind cards meant so much to us both! Enjoy these I've shared with you!
Smiles, Laura

Spreading Cheer....

2011-08-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

I selected "Sharing Cheer" for my entry title today because that's what a card sent to someone does--it spreads cheer. When we are having a rough time, nothing cheers like a card to let the person know you are thinking of them. During my husband's recent illness, we both have gotten so very many cards---honesly, you would not believe it. The stack is about 6 inches high! Of course we LOVED them all and they all mean so much to us. I don't mean to single out the "hand-made" ones, but since most of my readers are card makers, I thought I'd share the "hand made" ones with you on my blog. I have shown the artist's name at the bottom of each sample. Look at these beautiful cards!!

I'll share more tomorrow. Just didn't want these lovely creations to be put in a box without sharing them with others.

If you EVER feel like card-making isn't worth the trouble, let me say that it truly is woth your time. It's a little piece of you that you give to another person. Our thanks to all who sent us cards. And for those of you who have sent messages asking, Frank is much improved. We visited our family doctor Friday and he said Frank's healing is right on track. It will take a few more weeks for the double vision to clear up, but at least we can see improvement every day. Thanks for your prayers!!
Smiles, Laura

Grateful....

2011-08-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

I am so grateful to all of you for visiting my blog and to my customers for continuing to attend my classes and purchase Stampin' Up! suppliles from me. I mad ethis card to send to a couple of customers who continually place large orders! But it would be a wonderful Thanksgiving card, too. Don't we all have so much to be grateful for!!!

This card uses the new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper from the Holiday Mini. I think I told you already that I LOVE this series!! I have used this layout before, but in different colors and stamps, it looks different.

This card is Pool Party and I used More Mustard and Chocolate Chip cardstock on the sentiment to pull out colors from the DSP.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. I used the Decorative Label punch for the Pool Party layer, then added a Chocloate Chip circle, and then a More Mustand tag punched using the Lots to Tags Die and the Big Shot. The GRTEFUL is stamped on vanilla punched out with the Large Oval punch. I love multiple layer sentiments on my cards!

The sentiment GRATEFUL and the peck of pears is from the Alwasy Grateful stamp set in the Holiday Mini. There are two more wonderful stamps in that set. This is one you will want to use over and over. Run, don't walk, to order this one!! I know I'll be using it alot. I colored the image in with my markers. I punched the oval using the Ovals #2 die.

The ribbon on this card is the 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon in Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake. Those colors go well with the ones in this series of designer paper.

Thanks for visiting today!! Come back soon!

Smiles, Laura

Vicky's sorrow.....

2011-08-26T12:11:00.000-04:00

My friend Vicky recently lost her cat and I made this card for her, hoping to cheer her a bit. The card itself is Chocolate Chip, layered with Pool Party. The designer paper is the new Spice Cake in the Holiday Mini catalog. You can start ordering from this on September 1. Let me tell you, I LOVE this suite of paper!! I love all the designs, which is unusual.

I used the stamp set C Is For Cat. That's the new In Colors 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon I tied around the card. I love this ribbon; so dressy.

Here is my sentiment. I stamped in on vanilla and punched it with the large oval punch. I smudged Pool Party around the edges of it. That is layered on the Curly Label in Chocolate Chip and layered onto the wide oval in Pool Party.

This oval was cut from the Ovals die using by big shot. It's a perfect size for the cat and the sentiment.

I'm not sure you can tell it, but I put one tiny pearl on the cat's ribbon around its neck.

I hope Vicky found some comfort in knowing that others share her loss! Our pets are our family, too!

Smiles, Laura

Summer Solstice...

2011-08-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'm sharing a card I made for a friend and her husband who are moving away from our area and so are leaving our church--for our Sunday School class to give to them. I used Summer Solstice fr the flower on this one.

The card is white and I cut 1" strips of Rich Razzleberry designer paper from the Rich Regals Patterns stack. They are attached diagonally onto the card. I added a Rich Razzleberery satin ribbon at the bottom of the designer paper.

I stamped this flower onto white cardstock and cut it out. I added a glimmer brad at the center of it to make it pop. For the "doily" behind the flower, I punched out several flowers with the Lace Ribbon Border punch and cut them apart. I then sponged them a bit with Razzleberry and glued them behind the flower and leaves, for a doily-like effect.

This sentiment is from the Summer Solstice stamp set and is perfect for these friends.

I hope our friends liked the card. We'll miss them in our lives.

Smiles, Laura

A card for Linda....

2011-08-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Recently my BFF Linda moved to Chapel Hill. This was while I was going through all the health issues with hubby, so I really didn't get to spend any last days with her nor get to attend a dinner our church had for her and her husband, both great friends of ours. But I did take a moment to make Linda this card.

I love the colors, Cherry Cobbler and white. This little heart border punch is by Martha Steward and I like it for cards "of the heart". This sentiment on the front is from the new Blessings from Heaven set. I liked it for my front of the card.

Here are the hearts. I punched some from the Cherry Cobler paper and sponged the edges. The others I punched from the Red sparkling paper. I strung them all onto bakers twine, to look like they are hanging on a line.

Another shot of the hearts.

Inside, I used this sentiment from the Friendly Words jumbo wheel. I think I've told you before I bought a second wheel, peeled off the rubber, and cut it into different stamps so I could use the words in and on my cards.

I thought this sentiment inside was perfect for Linda. I hope we each have time to stay in touch!! I'll sure miss her here!
Smiles, Laura

French Foliage...

2011-08-19T16:00:00.001-04:00

The card I have for you today uses the French Foliage stampset. The card is Always Artichoke, layered with Riding Hood Red and More Mustard on top of that. I used some striped designer paper with these colors (not Stampin' Up! designer paper). (Sorry the lighting isn't really great on these pictures; I took them in the dimmed hospital room on hubby's bed.)

Here is a close-up shot of the circles at the bottom of the front. I punched 3/4" circles out of the mustard cardstock. I layered that onto Artichoke cardstock and punched holes from it using the 1/2" circle punch. Then I glued the striped paper behind both and layered it all onto Riding Hood Red.

Look at the leaf. I punched the circle out using a 2-1/4" die. Onto that I stamped the French words in this set using Olive ink. Then I stamped the leaf over that with More Mustard. I sponged the edges using Riding Hood Red.

I stacked the circle with the leaf onto a circle cut from the striped paper and another cut from Artichoke. I put dimensionals in between each layer to make them really show up.

Other layers of this card front have sponging, too, because it gives it depth and makes for a better card, I think.

I hope you like this one. It was just a fun play on circles! Smiles, Laura

Zoo Review...

2011-08-18T15:57:00.001-04:00

Hi! It's so good to be back to my blog again this week. I hope to make it a regular thing now. Things are mucb better at our house. My husband is home from the hospital and starting to feel more like himself. He has some residual vision problems and is weak from so many days in the hospital and bed, but he is improving each day. Praise the Lord!! And thanks all of you who have sent well wishes our way and lifted up prayers for us. We are still having to give him medication every 4 hours around the clock, but this will pass. We are just glad to be home and getting back to normal. I've even gotten to stamp some!

The sample I'm sharing today is one my friend Judy and I made the day before Frank's hemorrhage. I just didn't get to share it with you! This one uses the Zoo Review set. I love all the animals in this one and can't wait to play with them.

I used Soft Suede for this card, layered with Basic Black cardstock. The designer paper is not from Stampin' Up. I stamped the giraffe on white cardstock I had cut with a Spellbinder die and layered that onto a black one that was one size larger. If left the white paper in the die and sponged around it with mustard ink to give it a little more of a Serengeti look. I colored the giraffe with my mustard marker and the spots with the Chocolate Chip marker.

These leaves are from the French Foliage set. I love to use that set in the fall---and yes, it is about fall. I stamped one leaf on Mustard cardstock using Soft Suede ink. I stamped the other two on white cardstock, using Black ink and sponged mustard over them. I kind of like how they turned out in those colors. I attached them to the card using linen thread.

I think this would be a great card for a man. Judy kidded me because I kept asking what "words" will we put on the front. She is fine with no sentiment on the front of a card, so I left it blank. Oh, well, all the sentiment is inside. Ha! Thanks for stopping by today!! See you again!! Smiles, Laura

Summer Ice Cream!

2011-08-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

Wouldn't a cone of ice cream be great on a hot summer day like today!! I like to show my customers several ways to use each punch, so for this sample, we used the Petite Pennants Builder punch for the cone. I stamped it first using Espresso ink on Crumb Cake CS using the Pennant Parade stamp set. I punched the "scoops" of ice cream using the Cupcake Builder punch. I used the top of the cupcake image for the "scoop". That particular one looks like clouds in the sky, too. So many ways to use that punch, also.

Here is a close-up of those scoops. They are popped up from the card using dimensionals. Notice I sponged around the end of the scoops to give it dimension, too. For the cherry, I punched one cherry from Real Red CS and one from Wild Wasabi CS. I but the stem off the red cherry and glued it over the green cherry. Great way to attach them. This circle the cone is on was punched using the 2-1/2" circle punch. I sponged it's edges, also.

The sentiment on this card is from the You're Cherished set. I like it saying, "You're sweet." I'll be using this stamp alot!

The designer paper on this card is from the Just Add Cake series. I used the Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon for this one, too.

Thanks for coming by today. Have a good one!!
Smiles, Laura

Let's party!

2011-08-10T05:36:00.000-04:00

No, hubby isn't being released from the hospital yet! I wish we could be partying about that. But this card is great for a birthday party, complete with party hats. And best of all, it shows another way to use the Petite Pennant Builder punch and Pennant Builder stamp set--for the party hat. I stamped the pompoms from the set and punched them with the flower-like punch in the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. The card itself is Real Red and I embossed a piece of white with the Square Lattice embossing folder. The striped paper is from the Just Add Cake collection.

Here is a close-up of the hats. I stamped "wish big" from the same set and then punched it with the Jewelry Tag punch. It's not hung on like a tag, but just stuck under the party hat.

The sentiment on this card is from the Petite Pairs stamp set. That's one you will see me using alot because it has alot of great sentiments in it.

I appreciate your continued prayers for my husband as he heals. Keep coming by to visit, OK!!
Smiles, Laura

I'm sharing, I'm sharing!

2011-08-08T13:48:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting with my husband at the hospital and now have time to share a sample with you!! I am so glad to be able to. This is a card my class is making this month. It uses the Up, Up And Away stamp set. It's a cute set for so many occasions.

This card is Daffodil Delight with Tempting Turquoise. I used the Big Top Birthday designer paper with it. I like these bright colors!

Here is a close-up of the balloons and the red and yellow background. The red was embossed with the new Stripes embossing folder and the yellow with the Houndstooth embossing folder. I hope you can see the effect in this shot. I colored the top balloon with markers to use all three colors on it.

This stamp set is so versatile because it has four sentiments in it, so it can be used for several occasions.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope things are calm enough that I can share with you for several days---until I get to stamp again. Thanks so much to those of you leaving comments of well wishes for my husband. He is holding his own but not making alot of progress yet. He'll get there; time and prayers always help!! I appreciate all of you!!
Smiles, Laura

Family situation...

2011-08-07T16:32:00.001-04:00

Yes, I know it's been a LOOONNNGGG time since I posted to my blog. I finished up the house repairs and then my grandchildren came to enjoy some time with us before school starts. I finally got to stamp some last week and made new cards to show you.. But before I could photograph and post them, my husband had an serious health issue. Thursday evening he had super bad migraine which I knew wasn't normal (ended up it was a brain hemmorage) and passed out while I was trying to get him in the car to go to the ER. I had the ambulance come to the house to get him and our small local hospital did a CTA scan and ended up airlifting him to the larger hospital in Asheville (30 miles from us) where they had the facilities to handle something this serious. I've been up here at the hospital with him almost every waking moment since then. It was blood vein in the middle of the back of his head (at the brain stem) that exploded. It was not an aneurysm so thankfully, no surgery was required. It could have been much worse and we are so grateful that he is improving daily. He is having really bad headaches until the brain absorbs the blood, and he's seeing double right now. They assure us this will all clear up and he'll be back to normal. I sure hope so!! His doctors want to keep him until at least Friday, which is a LONG hospital stay to me. So please remember us in your prayers and just bear with me--don't desert my blog!!

I will try to photograph my cards and post some this week. I will be back to you; I enjoy my stamping and sharing on the blog so much!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Smiles, Laura

Lace Ribbon Border .....

2011-07-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

They are laying the tile in the bathroom and the kitchen backsplash today so my house renovations are almost done! Yeah!! I'm ready to get the house back to normal (whatever that is) and start playing with my stamps again. (Ed. note: Obvisouly they aren't laying tile today, Sunday. I wrote this entry on Thursday and just wasn't thinking about when it would post. Sorry!!)

Today I thought I'd share another sample I got to make recently. I used the new Lace Ribbon Border punch on this one--using Pear Pizzazz cardstock for it. I layered that onto Pacific Point. I made a trim in Night of Navy using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and put half of it behind the Pacific Point strip. I wanted that to be the focal point of this card, but knew it needed something on the right side.

So I punched out a flower using the Blossom Party die. The largest layer of the flower is Pacific Point, the next layer is Night of Nave and the top layer is Pear Pizzazz. I put a Navy center to the flower and added a Glimmer Brad from the Basics collection. I popped up the flower with dimensionals and curled the petals a bit to give it dimension.

Here is the sentiment on this card. I used the new stamp set, Friendly Phrases, to add "Wow, You're the best". It is stamped in navy on pear cardstock, backed with Pacific Point. I know I'm going to be using this set A LOT!

Well, that's my share for the day. I hope you like it!! With so many new goodies to play with, I can't decide where to start. Stay tuned to see more!

Thanks for stopping by!! Come again!

Smiles, Laura

Three Little Duckies.....

2011-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

For many of you, this card will be familiar. I saw it in some pictures that were shared from Convention. It was posted on one of the Stampin' Up! bulletin boards. I loved it and just purchased this new set and just had to make one, with minor changes. For my local customers, this will be a new card for you, so I hope those of you who attended convention or saw the pictures will bear with me.

The little duckie, of course, is from the new Easy Events stamp set. I cut my sentiments under each image separately so that I could use the images without the sentiments if I want to. I oftentimes do that on my stamps. I know I will be using this little duckie often!

The card for this one is the new Pool Party color. The dotted paper is from the 2011-2013 In Color Patterns Stack in Calypso Coral. You KNOW I love the patterns stacks!! They are so easy to work with.

I used Lucky Limeade for the bottom border, punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch. I love how it looks like eyelet lace. And I tied Bakers twine in white around this one. The sentiment is from the new Friendly Phrases set.

I can see the end of our house remodeling in sight and hopefully will be back to designing cards soon!! I've really missed having time to be creative!! Glad I saw this one I could copy to share with you today. And if you didn't see it on the board at Convention, well, I hope you like mine.

Thanks for stopping in! Smiles, Laura

Blossom Bouquet Flowers....

2011-07-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

Hello! I hope you are enjoying the hot summer day. We are setting records here in the South, as is most of the country, I think. I heard today that part of Washington state has not gotten over 70 degrees this year. Amazing! But we sure have here in the South!! Temperatures in the 90's with our high humidity are hard to take. We "wear the air" as one forecaster here says.

I wanted to show you the blog candy I'm mailing to Martha Hepburn tomorrow as part of my 100,000 bog hits celebration! Martha was drawn as the winner. I hope she likes this. The back item is one of the Grag Bags that SU offered earlier this spring, which has a lot of delightful things in it--ribbon, designer paper, buttons, cardstock, etc. The stamp set is The More The Merrier which is retired but is a fun one to play with. And there are some Sale-a-bration buttons thrown in, too.

Here is a close-up of the new embossing folder Martha is receiving! Thanks to all who visited and all who left comments!

Here is the card I want to share today. I made this one to send to my dad and his wife for a gift they sent me. I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch for the flowers. They are punched from the new 2911-2013 In Colors--Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, and Calypso Coral.

Here (below) is a close-up of the flowers and it shows the background which I ran through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Yes, those are gold brads in the center of each flower.

I wanted to show you a close-up of the ribbon, too. This is the new Ruffled Ribbon in Wisteria Wonder. I am so going to enjoy using this new ribbon. I bought it in all 5 colors!

The sentiment on this card is from the Thank You Kindly set.

Well, thanks for stopping by today. I hope it's a good one for you!! Come back soon.

Smiles, Laura

The winner is....

2011-07-18T15:10:00.000-04:00

OK, we've reached 100,000 visits and believe it or not, since my announcement offering blog candy, I only had 5 people leave comments on my blog. (Lots of you visited but you didn't leave comments!!) I did have another person email me who could not get her comment to post. So the name is drawn and the winner is Martha Hepburn (I think she's the one who emailed me). My sweet miniature Schnauzer Gabby did the drawing. Here's how: I numbered each entry and wrote the numbers on slips of paper. I put the numbers face down with a small crumb of Gabby's favorite treat on top of each one, across the room from her. When she went to them, the one whose treat she ate was the winner. (No, it wasn't the middle one, either!) Martha, I'll be contacting you about how to mail your blog candy!! And I'll share what I'm sending Martha in my next entry!! Thanks to all of you for leaving comments and especially for visiting my blog!!
Smiles, Laura

Blog Candy Coming up!!

2011-07-17T15:34:00.000-04:00

Well, things are moving along faster than I thought. When I posted yesterday, I noticed I was several hundred away from reaching the 100,000 visitor mark. Wow!!! You all do me an honor for so many to visit my blog in the short period of time I have had it, so I thought I'd offer some blog candy. Well, I thought I had several days and could decide on what to offer, photograph it, and post on some of my groups that I'd be giving blog candy, etc. I log on today and see I'm less that 200 away from that 100,000 mark. So if you trust me to send you some GOOD blog candy, I'm offering it now!! Everyone who leaves a comment between now and when I hit 100,000 visits, will be entered into a drawing for the blog candy! Just leave a comment, and your email address. I'll contact you if you win to see where to mail the candy, should be you be the winner! Please know that I very much appreciate the honor of your visits each time you stop in!!

Today I thought I'd share another card that I made recently. This one used Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Pacific Point. For the three colors of stripes (which are from the Brights Pattern Stack) cut three pieces 3.5” x 1.25” Cut the three backgrounds for them from solid cardstock, 3.75” x 1.5”. The center Razzleberry is cut 3.5" x 3", it's layer of Pacific Point is 3.25" x 2.75" and the center white is 3" x 2.5".

We don't have a punch that will reach in far enough to punch for the ribbon, so I punched two small 1/8" circle holes as far apart as my ribbon is wide and clipped between them with my scissors. I like how the two colors of ribbons looks on this one, too, don't you?

I got this layout from Anne Marie Hile. (She's another Schnauzer owner and I LOVE her work). See her blog here and look for her March 1 entry. Our cards are different and I'm not sure our dimensions are the same but that's where I saw the layout.

I'm so glad you stopped in today!! Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address, to be entered into the blog candy drawing! Smiles, Laura

Wish Big....

2011-07-16T06:00:00.009-04:00

I LOVE finding several uses for each punch I own--it makes the investment in these punches more worthwhile. Well, on the card I'm sharing today, I used two petals from the Blossom Petals Builder punch to make the flame and center of the flame. I saw this candle on the Artistic Avenger's (Carrie Gaskin) blog but she did not have the inside "hottest" part of the flame. I thought of that myself and think it adds alot to the candle. I used So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie for the flame colors, and sponged around both with the Pumpkin ink to add depth. I used the white gel pen for the white "light reflection" on each candle.

This card itself is 4.25" x 4.25" when folded up, so the candles can stick up above the card and it still fits nicely into our medium envelopes for mailing. This card is made from Pear Pizzazz cardstock, layered with Tempting Turquoise and topped off with In Colors Patterns DSP.

The beauty of this card is that you can pick ANY scraps you have to make the candles--candles can be ANY color. It's a great way to use up those bits of DSP!! I sponged the edges of the candles to make them look more "rounded" and I used the Small Oval punch to punch out the tops of each candle.

Here is the same layout, with a Soft Suede card layered with Bashful Blue color theme, and topped again with the Patterns DSP. The candles are different colors on this one, but you get the idea--you can use anything.

The sentiment on this card, Wish Big, is from the Word Play set. I colored the various letters using markers so they would be different colors. And I sponged around the edge of this square, too.

Don't you think this is a neat birthday card to send!! I made several for my June birthdays! I hope the folks getting them liked them.

Thanks for visiting today!! See you another day!!

Ed. Note: I finally found the original card by Carrie that inspired me and actually I'd say I CASE'd her card! My candles are a bit different but the layout and using 3 candles was her idea. Thanks, Carrie!! Check hers out at http://www.artisticavenger.com/ .

Smiles, Laura

Hello to you!!

2011-07-14T15:37:00.001-04:00

I know, I know, you can't believe I'm back. Well, I thought I would not get back to you and my beloved stamping but I hope I'm about there!! I have MOST of the work done on the house--they just need to tile my backsplash and one bathroom floor next week. I am definitely tired of cleaning out!! I told friends today that I still don't have "empty spaces" in my drawers and cabinets. But where they once were "crammed to spilling out" they are now "comfortably full"---which is better than it might be.

I have missed posting for you all. When I saw my friend Judy Friday night, I said , "I haven't posted to my blog in forever." Judy replied, "You haven't since June 27." I was amazed that she knew the exact date of my last entry. I love being missed!!!

In spite of working on the house, I DID take time to place an order for tons of new stuff. Hey, I might be busy, but my priorities are in order! ha! I have tons of new stamp sets to create with, some new designer paper and new ruffled ribbon. I can't wait to get started in my stamp room!!!

Here is a card I made during June as part of a swap I was committed to. I used the new set Pennant Parade and the new Petite Pennants Builder punch. The colors are Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron. I used the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper for this one, too.

Here are the pennant pieces. I stamped them in Wasabi on Saffron and then punched them out. I've found with this new punch that you stamp to the RIGHT side of a piece of paper and then punch--this will save you some cardstock. Then I punched out a "plain" pennant (without scallops) from striped designer paper to layer on the Saffron. I used the Naturally Serif die and Pumpkin cardstock for the letters "Y O U". Here you can see the close-up of the white background, too, where it is embossed with the Square Lattice die. Love that die!!

I wanted you also to see how I punched a small hole in the corner of each pennant and ran white bakers twine through it to tie all three pennants together.

For this part (below), I punched 5 circles from various patterns of the designer paper with the 1" circle punch. The circles are glued to a strip of designer paper. This picture also shows the sentiment. The Saffron back is punched with the Scalloped Oval punch. I layered Pumpkin punched with the Modern Label over that and stamped Happy Birthday and punched it with the Word Window punch.

Well, I hope you like the sample today. I'm glad to be back. Leave me some comments, so I know you are glad, too!!

Summer pinwheels.....

2011-06-27T17:56:00.000-04:00

Hi! It's good to be back to my blog again, after being away a week. No, I haven't completed the home renovations--they'll be gong on until mid-July. But I am taking a minute today to post a card I made. This one features a summer pinwheel. If you've seen the new Stampin' Up! catalog, you know that there is now a stamp set with a pinwheel in it. But I made this one using designer paper.

I made the pinwheel by starting with a 2.5" square. I cut in from each corner most of the way (but not all the way) toward the center. Then I folded those 4 corners in and glued them before putting a brad in the center. I used a toothpick for the pinwheel "handle".

Here it the ribbon I ran across the striped designer paper to add more color. The designer paper is from the Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II pack. (What a long name for a pack of paper!!)

I hope you like this little summer card. Thanks for being patient with me during my house renovations when I'm not posting very often. I will return to regular posting when all this is over!

Smiles, Laura

Love those flowers.....

2011-06-20T12:28:00.000-04:00

Today I thought I'd share another sample using the flowers punched with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. Can't seem to get enough of these flowers.

For this one, I cut a piece of Sunny Garden designer paper square and halved it diagonally. That made my background. I used Pear Pizzazz for the card, layers with Poppy Parade. I think the thing I like best is the dotted designer paper from the In Colors Pattern Stack. Love those stacks!! The sentiment is from the Great Friend set, which is retiring July 1. Another set I'll really miss.

Thanks for stopping in today. Smiles, Laura

On a Pedestal....

2011-06-17T09:20:00.000-04:00

I know I've been gone awhile and I apologize from not posting something in the last week. I am doing some renovations on the house and it has taken all my time. The end isn't in sight yet, but by the end of July, I should be finished. One of my friends asked if I was doing the work myself and yes, I am. She said when she says, "I'm doing renovations" it means she's hiring it done. Well, I'm painting, installing new cabinets, putting up tile, and yes, I do the work myself, so it takes time. On top of that, I'm doing alot of cleaning out. Goodwill and I are getting to know each other by name! ha! That doesn't leave alot of time for my REAL passion, stamping and creating.

But I do have a card to share today. This one uses the On a Pedestal stamp set which is retiring, unfortunately. I love the sentiment "Happy Everything to you!" That's such a useful stamp!!

This card had three circles, one inside the other. Each is layered on a contrasting color, so it looks like even more circles.

Here is a close-up of the circles and the butterfly. This is another card my friend Judy and I made on our last play day, so she had the butterflies that I could stick on.

Look at this neat bow Judy tied for me. She has one of the bow-makers you see folks using. I am having one made for me so I can make my own pretty bows!!

Thanks for faithfully stopping by my blog. I'll try to do better posting some samples for your enjoyment!!

Smiles, Laura

Three for the price of one!

2011-06-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

Today I am sharing 3 cards with you. They are the same layout, but open differently and are different sizes. So you get three for the price of one.

This first one is a small card, about 3.5" x 2.5". My friend Judy gave me the template and we made cards by it one day when we were playing. I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Rose Red, Old Olive and Pink Pirouette for this one and none SU designer paper.

Inside there is a pocket which holds a little card that pulls out. I used the new Blossom \Bouquet Triple Layer Punch for the flowers. The top one gives you something by which to pull out the middle.

Then I decided I wanted to make my own template to make a full-sized card. Here is that one. Again Olive and Rose Red and Pink Pirouette were used. I used a plate or lid or something to cut the half circle (I forget what). You can use anything to make a half circle for the sides on this one.

This one has alittle more inside because it's a bigger card and there's more room. I used the Decorative Label punch topped with the Curly Label punch for the sentiment. That quote is from the For All You Do set.

Here is a close-up of that label and sentiment.

And finally, I decided why do we need to pull out that center. So I made this one. For it, you have to untie the ribbon, but no matter. This card uses the Tangerine Tango cardstock for it.

Inside I decided I wanted a sentiment but also room to sign it, so I made two areas for that.

I used the Decorative Label punch for the backing and the Wide Oval punch in whtie for the sentiment.

There's plenty of room here for you to sign your name.

Hope you like these three. Come back soon, OK?

Smiles, Laura

Tiny Cup...

2011-06-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

I shared this layout with you back in March, but with different colors and stamps. I just love this layout!!

This card is done in Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, and Not Quite Navy. I matched the designer paper (non-SU). I just love this little cup from Tiny Cup and it's always nice to put a "HELLO" on the front of a card.

Here is my sentiment. That's the Scallop Oval in Not Quite Navy, the large oval in Tangerine, and HELLO is on Baja Breeze cut with the end of the Decoratie Label punch. I think I've shown that tip before.

For the cups, I stamped all three separately, cut them out and fixed the rim so they fit one inside the other, like stacked cups really do.

We all need cards to send just to say hello and this one fits the bill!!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Smiles, Laura

More On the Grow flowers....

2011-06-03T11:47:00.000-04:00

Here is another card I made using the flower from the On The Grow set. It is really a fun one to stamp and color! I used Poppy Parade and Tempting Turquoise cardstock on this one, with designer paper from the Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II pack and the In Colors Patterns Stack. I am so glad the Patterns Stacks are not retiring!!

Here is the sentiment on this one. I used the turquoise circle, the Designer Label in Poppy (that one is retiring, too, and will I ever miss it!!) and the large oval. The sentiment is from the On the Grow set, too.

Here is a closeup of the flower and ribbon. Yes, that's retired Riding Hood Red ribbon. It goes with the poppy cardstock and I wanted to use taffeta ribbon on this one.

The main thing I like about this one is the layout. You know how I'm always looking for neat layouts. This one could be used with ANY image and sentiment.

Thanks for stopping in today!! See you another day!
Smiles, Laura

On the Grow Flowers....

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

My friend Judy and I were playing with layouts the other day and here is one we saw that we wanted to try. I like how the two designer papers weave into each other.

I stamped this jar of flowers from the On the Grow set on a circle and colored them with markers. You probably cannot see it but I dabbed some "stickles" onto the centers of the flowers. The jar itself is colored and then coated with Crystal Effects so it shines like a real jar.

I thought it needed something where the four strips of designer paper wove together, so I put 1/2" circles and brads on the four places they cross.

The bow above the circle just finishes it off. I hope you like this one!!

Have a great day and stop in again soon!! Smiles, Laura

I can't help myself....

2011-05-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

No, I can't help but use that Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch!! I wasn't sure before I purchased it that I'd use it that much, but gee, I'm using it alot.

This card uses the same colors as my last entry share--Not Quite Navy and Kiwi Kiss.

For this card, I hung the flower from the little ribbon tied around that cneter panel, so it has some "motion". I used linen thread for hanging it through one of the flower openings. Can you see the tiny "lace" look peeping out of the dark designer paper? That was cut with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Boarder punch.

Here is the sentiment. That label the "Hello" is on was punched using the END of the Decorative Label punch. There are three ways that I've found to use that punch for sentiment and I sure like versatility.

Thanks for coming by today!! See you next time! Smiles, Laura

Play it again, sport....

2011-05-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here is the same layout I shared with you yesterday, only this one doesn't have a "picture" on the panel but flowers punched using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Punch.

The sample does not use Stampin' Up! designer paper, but the card stock is Stampin' Up!. I used the retired Kiwi Kiss with the Not Quite Navy and Going Grey card stock. For the two gray printed pieces that go across the card, I backed them with Kiwi because I think it makes them pop more. (See yesterday's card without that backing.)

For the sentiment, I again used the Happy Greetings stamp set and the same punches. But I put two flowers in Kiwi from the Triple Punch on each end of the Decorative Label punch (Not Quite Navy).

Here is a close-up of the flowers. Can you see the 3/4" circle layer behind the flowers? I've shown you that trick before. It gives them more depth.

As you can tell from my blog, I like using a layout a couple of times in different colors and different images. Thanks for stopping in today!! Smiles, Laura

Peace Within....

2011-05-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

That's the name of this set--Peace Within--and isn't it a calming set! Yes, lots of coloring, but peaceful. I used Poppy Parade for this card, layered with Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II designer paper. I know I'm using it alot lately but it is lovely and fun.

For the sentiment, I used the Happy Greetings set from the Summer mini, stamped in Poppy. The sentiment label is made using the Decorative Label, Curly Label and Wide Oval punches.

Here is a close-up of the little cat. I colored him yellow like my sister's cat, Bo. He's such a neat little fellow and I spent some time with him this weekend.

This layout for this card is one I saw on one of the layout blogs. I'm going to share another card using the same layout. So come back soon!

Thanks for stopping in today.
Smiles, Laura

Happy Father's Day....

2011-05-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'm sharing another Sail Away card for Father's Day. I love the colors on this one. The card is Sahara Sand and I used Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Pacific point for the three front panels. I used the Scallop Edge Border punch to make it look like there are waves behind the boat.

I love that wide striped grosgrain ribbon in Pumpkin Pie. I tied it off with some of the linen thread.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. I used the Decorative Label, 1-3/8" Circle, and Modern Label punches and a die from the Lots of Tags set for it. . Can you tell I just LOVE layers and layers for my sentiments? ha! Yes, of course there are dimensionals in there, too.

I colored the sails with the Pumpkin and Turquoise markers and sponged alittle Baja Breeze ink for the "water" under the boat/

Well, that's my sample for today. I won't promise that you will not see more of this stamp set because I love it for masculine cards! Have a great day!! Smiles, Laura

Bold Blossoms....

2011-05-24T15:41:00.001-04:00

Here is a card I made recently using the Bold Blossoms and Perfect Punches stamp sets. I tried another way to make flowers using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Punch, too, on this one.

This card is Tempting Turquoise with a Daffodil Delight striped designer paper from the Patterns Designer Paper Stack in Brights. I used Real Red on this card, too.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment on the card. I stamped it with Tempting Turquoise and colored in "Friend" with Real Red.

It's hard to see it, but I have Red and Yellow ribbons sticking out from under the flower panel. I wish I had done them all in Real Red, but oh, well..... They show up good in real life.

Thanks for stopping by today!! See you again soon.

Smiles, Laura

Two Triple Layer Punch Flower Shares....

2011-05-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today I have two different, but similar, cards made using the Blossoms Bouquet Triple Layer Punch and the Lattice die! I made this first one using Peach Parfait cardstock for the card, layered with Pear Pizzazz. The lattice die is also punched from the Peach Parfait cardstock. The flowers on this one are Poppy Parade, with a little center of Pear Pizzazz on top.

I hope you can tell in this close-up shot that I ran the Pear centers through the Lattice Embossing Folder, too, for added dimension. And they are put on with dimensionals. The little sentiments are from the Tiny Tags stamp set, punched out with the Jewelry Tag punch. They are attached with linen thread run through the lattice.

I decided to step the card up a bit by adding a layer BEHIND the punched flowers. Here is that card. This card is Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, and Daffodil Delight, but the lattice itself is Soft Suede.

For these flowers, I punched with from Daffodil and then punched a 3/4" circle to go behind the flowers. I think this makes them pop out so much more. What do you think?

Isn't it fun to make a card and then try to improve on it! I do that alot--seeing if I can come up with just one more thing to move the card from a "good" card to a "great" card!

Have a wonderful day!! Come back often!! Smiles, Laura

Happy Greetings, Fifth Avenue Floral!

2011-05-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today I'm sharing another sample I made using a layout I saw from another stamper. This was probably the challenge of the day on some group, but I just saw the one sample and decided I wanted to try it. The stamper also used the Happy Greetings sentiment, which I decided I'd also use. But went for my own colors and designer paper and flowers.

My card is Peach Parfair and White, and I used papers from the Sunny Garden series and the Build-a-Bear Workhop Pawsitively Prints II series. Who knew this So Saffron dotted paper was in that pack!!

I ran the white through my Square Lattice embossing folwer for added interest. I love that look.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. I colored the middle HELLO with my Peach Parfait marker. I think it makes it show up better--sort of emphasizes that word!

I stamped the flowers from Fifth Avenue Floral and colored them with my aqua painter and cut them out. They are raised with dimensionals and I've decided that alittle Dazzling Diamonds glitter will help them so I plan to put that in the centers. Funny how we forget those little touches until we look twice and decide we need alittle glitter to help!

I like this layout and will be making more of these in the coming days.

Smiles, Laura

Happy Birthday to my blog!!

2011-05-18T11:14:00.001-04:00

It is hard to believe that I've had this blog for two years today!! I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in seeing my samples and my photography. I had no idea so many of you would visit as often as you do and I most humbly appreciate your visits. Thank you for your sweet and supportive comments you leave.

So since this is my blog's birthday, I'm going to share one more sample using this layout and this one is a BIRTHDAY card. Happy Birthday to my blog!

For this card I used Rose Red and Certainly Celery cardstock for the card. The designer paper is by another compnay, but I do love it. The cupcake is punched using the Build A Cupcake punch. I ran the bottom of the cupcake through my crimper to make it look like a paper that holds cupcakes.

Here is the sentiment on the card. The sentiment is from the On Your Birthday set. I punched the white cardstock using the Decorative Label punch. That is backed with a Rose Red large oval.

Here is the inside of the card. The sentiment is again from the On Your Birthday stamp set. I put some of the designer paper inside, too, to go with the front.

Thank you SO MUCH for being a part of my blog!! I hope to be sharing with you for years to come!!

(EDITORIAL NOTE: I was asked in the comment for the directions for cutting the triangles. I have this explained in my May 15 entry, the one with the scooter. The square for the triangle starts off as a 4x4" square. Cut that in half, diagonally, and then cut each of those two in half, from the center to one point. This gives you 4 triangles, enough to make two cards. Hope this helps!)

Smiles, Laura

Sailing Away on the same layout....

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

I shared this layout with you the other day--even in the same colors and paper, but formatted in landscape with the On the Grow scooter on it. This is what I made with the left-over triangles of the checked paper. (See my earlier entry for colors and papers used.) I decided I wanted to try the layout in a portrait format and put the sail boat from Sail Away on it. Here is what I came up with:

I love this boat. It is punched with our 3" Circle Die carried over from the Occasions mini. I layered it with another circle I cut with a die.

The sentiment on this one is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. (Don't I use that set OFTEN!! Love it!!) But the shape of this one is a new one for me. I punched out white cardstock using the Decorative Label punch. Then I put it back in to the long side of the punch and punched it again, so that I got a "skinny" Decorative Label punch. I love how it layers onto the Large Oval!

This is just one more way to use our neat punches. The hardest thing about this one is getting it straight, so that you have even, same-sized curves on both sides.

OK, I'm loving this one!! I hope you do, too. How about trying a sample yourself using this layout and show me what you've made!! I'll feature you as my guest artist, if you send me what you've made!

Have a wonderful day!!
Smiles, Laura

Happy "I DO" Day....

2011-05-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

My cousin's son is getting married this month and here is a card I designed for them--and for my May classes. It has alot of details on it but is a really pretty one when you get finished. The card itself is Basic Gray. I ran a layer of White through the Framed Tulips embossing folder for the front of the card.

The "bride" and "groom" hearts are layered on gray hearts cut using the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die. I punched the "bride" white heart using the Full Heart punch and then ran it through the Elegant Lines embossing folder. I positioned it so that two small circles would be in the center so that I could add Pearl Jewels in the circles.

For the groom, I punched both a white and black heart and then cut the center out of the black one, so that it looks like two sides of a jacket. I used the Two-Step Owl punch to punch the two little black hearts for the "bow tie". Then I added three black brads for the shirt's buttons.

The striped paper is Basic Gray from the Patterns Designer Series Stack in Neutrals. I layered that on Basic Gray for a border. I tied a black 1/8" ribbon around that for interest and dimension.

I used this sentiment--Happy I DO Day-- from the Word Play set and stamped it in Basic Gray on white. I punched this with the Curly Label punch and layered that on another Curly Label in Basic Gray. I cut the gray one in half, to back the white one.

I wanted that little ring to really pop out, so I used a Rhinestone Jewel for the stone on the ring.

My cousin loves homemade cards, so I think they are going to like this one!!

Thanks for stopping by today. Come back soon! Smiles, Laura

On the Grow Scooter...

2011-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

I saw this layout used by several stampers and while I could not find the sketch itself online, I could figure it out and wanted to make my own card. I decided to use the On the Grow scooter stamp for my card.

My card is Poppy Parade, layered with Tempting Turquoise cardstock. The inside layer is designer paper from the Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II series, also layered on Poppy Parade.

For the two outside triangles with checked paper, I cut the checked paper (also from the same series) into 4"x 4" squares. I cut those in half and then each of those halves in half. So you get 2 cards from one 4"x4" square of designer series paper. You'll see the card I made with my other two pieces in a later entry. I layered those triangles onto Poppy Parade also.

Here is a close-up of my sentiment. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stampset. I punched a circle from Poppy Parade, a Designer Label tag from Turquoise, and used the Decorative Label punch (one end) to punch the white cardstock.

Here is a close-up of the scooter!

This is a fun set to use--although some coloring is required.

So I hope this layout has inspired you. I will certainly be using it again myself!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!!
Smiles, Laura

Flowers and Happy Greetings...

2011-05-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am still having fun using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch to make flowers. This card is full of them!! I tried to make several different flowers using Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler and Daffodil Delight colors.

Here are some close-ups of the flowers. I punched all three "choices" on the punch in all three colors, so I could build the flowers any way I wanted. Talk about fun!! I had a pile of pieces punched and just played with them to find good combinations. I figure there are dozens of combinations you can make with the layers.

Here are two more of the flowers.

The sentiment is a bunch of layers, too. I used the Decorative Label punch in Daffodil and Cherry for the back of it. I them punched a layer in Pumpkin Pie using the Curly Label. The top layer is the Wide Oval in White. I used the new set, Happy Greetings, from the Summer Mimi for the sentiment. Love that one!! I sponged the edges with Cherry Cobbler, too.

Yes, I think this is a happy card and a fun one to put together.

If you don't have the Triple Layer punch and love flowers, you need to order it!! It's just fun to see what you can make using it!!

Thanks for visiting my blog again today!!
Smiles, Laura

Another Friday Mashup Sketch--Sail Away....

2011-05-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the sketch I shared with you in my last entry and the first sample I made for Mothers Day using it. Well, today I'm going to share a card I made for Fathers Day using the same layout/sketch and the Sail Away stamp. This stamp is from the new Summer Mimi and I just LOVE it. You'll be seeing more of it on my blog, for sure.

I used Not Quite navy and Sahara Sand for the card and matting. I LOVE Sahara Sand as a "neutral" color. The striped designer series paper is from the Patterns DSP Stack in the Brights.

I stamped the image (boat) in Night of Navy ink. I also stamped the sails on paper from the Blueberry Crisp series and cut it out. I used dimensionals to add it to the original stamped boat. I colored that little mast flag with the Real Red marker. I used Metallic brads on the circles. I gave you the size of those circles in my last entry.

Here is the sentiment--again from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, punched with the Word Window and layered on the Modern Label.

For this card, I used the 1/8" Real Red ribbon behind the image for added interest.

OK, now it's your turn!! Go create something using this sketch. I've gotten you started!!
Smiles, Laura